Perfect for exercise or temporary containment. Shatter-resistant, easy-clean plastic Run-About Balls available in assorted rainbow colors. Use alone or with the Hamtrac Raceway.

Size

Diameter

Suggest For

Regular

7"

Mice, hamster, gerbils, or smaller

Giant

11.5"

Rats or smaller

Mega

13"

Large rats

Important: Run-About Balls are interactive exercise toys. Supervision is necessary. To prevent overheating, never use in direct sunlight, and limit exercise time in the ball to several periods of 15 minutes each day to keep your pet happy and healthy. Do not use on a table, or near stairways. Wash out the ball after use, so it is clean and ready the next time your pet is ready to play.

More Information

To use your Run-About Ball: Allow time for adjustment. Some pets may initially be overly cautious or frightened. If your pet seems hesitant, don't force him to use the Run-About Ball. Simply place it in his cage and he'll likely investigate it and learn to use it happily. You can also place a few small treats inside for added encouragement.

Customers Reviews

Rated 4.1 out of 5 by 12
reviewers.

Rated 5 out of 5 by stogu Great!
I like that only one side was open. It's pretty stable. I love the adorable pink color! My ratties have an easy time rolling it around.
Con: The door takes a little messing with to close.
May 25, 2016

Rated 5 out of 5 by AnimalEnthusiust These are great for Hamsters that like them.
My first hamster loved her balls, she would run around the whole house and was very good at it. She was a long hair and medium size. She unfortunately passed on. I then got a little one male not robo but the other little ones. Got a small ball for him, he hated it and hated for the most part any activity, unlike my first one that loved me and loved out of the cage time, and wanted out all the time. Now I just got a new one to replace the little one, I guess they must only live about four years, that's how long my little one lasted anyway. I mean live. So now I've got Destiny a brand new Teddy Bear hamster / short hair / tan and white, hes just beautiful and large, very large. I haven't tried him in the ball yet, he still runs away from me when I try to take him out, I'm trying to give him his own space for right now, and hoping he warms up to me with treats and coming out of his cage to be held once or twice a week, he doesn't bite and he lives on his tread mill all night long, he's very strong and I worry he might get out of my hands and hit the floor and he will be gone in two seconds, he's a super runner. So back to the ball, my first one went through them quickly, either chewed the notches that held the lid on or they got so scratched and dirty that I felt bad she couldn't see well through them and replaced them about every three to six months. Dr Fosters price is the best and if you get the free shipping special it's a deal that can't be beat. Try to be aware of your hamster and the balls condition, like I said my little Fi Fi chewed the inners and got the door open and I found her days later, so I had to use duct tape after that. Don't leave the house while your hamsters in the ball and it gets stuck on tv wires and laundry areas easily, so do periodice check ups every fifteen minutes or so as to where their at. I don't think I've ever done more than an hour at a time in the ball and they will poop in it but so far never pee. The balls will come in whatever color they send so beware that, and colors might hide scratches and how well they can see out of them once worn out from hardwoods. So check visibility standards periodically. At Dr Fosters price you can buy a few if you go through them like I have done, and have an extra right on hand. Their about double the price in stores and online double. So hope this helped, oh and their decent quality not flimsy or easily crackable.
November 5, 2015

Rated 5 out of 5 by Peanut17 Great Product
Our hamsters and gerbils love to run in these balls. Ours do poop in them so they need to be cleaned after each use.
January 15, 2015

Rated 5 out of 5 by Bandita Exercise Run-about Balls
Eversince I have had my 2 ferret children, they had been able to run about freely in my home during the 1st 2yrs, but then when my husband came down with terminal cancer, we had many strangers, or rather medical professions, such as the 'Guardian Angels of Hospice' coming and going every day for many months. So we had to keep them locked up in their main habitat (4 level cage.) Of which they didn't like it much, not being able to get out of the habitat and explore the house like they used to be able to do. So I had to find a solutioin, and the solution was to get
2 of the huge 113 inch run-about balls, for them to play in.
My older 2, Dallas, and Leloo were the most difficult to get used to it, other than to use it as a sleeping nest...but the youngster, Cedric loves it! It only took him about 10mins to realize it can move when he rocked it back and forth; then away he went all over the home!
But the only problem was that he could unlock the doors to it, so we had to use masking tape on the doors to keep them closed....and sometimes that didn't work either! This is why we now keep their front paws trimmed. they use them just like fingers when they want to get in and/or out of things that have doors, etc. :)
August 13, 2013

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Answers

Answer:

They do not recommend any sort of ball for a guinea pig because of their spines. They are easily injured. They also do not recommend two story cages or steps because they have poor peripheral vision, making their depth perception off. Hope this helps.

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Any exercise ball should *never* be used for a guinea pig, hedgehog, ferret, or chinchilla..----EVER.... It curves their spine in an unnatural way and it can get way too hot in there for them. ..It is horrible one of the staff member's here told you differently..

Make a play pen for your pigs and build a large C&C cage for them, but please do not put them in something as awful as a ball....

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Thank you for your question. We would suggest the Mega Run-about-ball item # 18606 for your 11 inch guinea pig, as it has a little more room than the 11.5 inch, it might be easier to get your pet in and out also.

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I would like to get a run around ball for our pet hedgehog to play in. However, a pet store told me that the hedgehog's toe nails can get caught in the air slits of the ball and hurt them. Is this true?

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Answers

I agree with the pet store, absolutely. Runabout balls may be okay for a hamster sized animal, if they seem to enjoy it, but runabout balls are in most cases not a good option for small animals. The ventilation is poor, animals can easiy overheat in these balls, and yes, your hedgehog would not only run the risk of getting his toenails caught in the airslits but also the anxiety and fright that can occur to an animal confined inside of a runabout ball is not a humane thing for the animal. Outside-of-cage free play time on your carpet, a table with a blanket and some toys or other open areas is much healthier and not stress inducing to your pet. :)

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Thank you for your question, Jill. I forwarded it to our in-house veterinarians and they said that they do not recommend using the run around ball for a hedgehog. They recommended trying the Silent Spinner to give your hedgehog exercise. Here's a link to the product: //www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...

5 years, 1 month ago

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Answers

Answer:

The "Giant" ball is plenty big enough for most rats (some of ours have been 9-10" long, which is bigger than average for pet rats). I know the guide says "Large Rats" for the Mega ball, but you'd have to have REALLY LARGE rats before the Giant ball is too small.

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Thank you for your question. The Run-about-ball Mini should be ok for your mouse, however; 3 weeks old maybe a little young for the ball. We would advise waiting a few more weeks before putting them in the ball.

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